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Jump right in:

• How to get a Job in France
• Minimum wage & average salary
• Self-employment
• Business culture
• Social security & benefits
• Maternity & paternity leave

Eligibility

If you are from outside of France, you will need to make sure you meet all the requirements for working in France. This means you may need a work visa and residence permit. To find out if you are first eligible to work in France, check out our Visas and Work Permits section of the guide.

French-style curriculum vitae (CV)

The French use the word , instead of résumé, keep it to one or two pages, formal, and concise.

If the job you are applying for was posted in English, you might be fine sending your information in English, but in many cases. It depends on the sector. Tech companies and international startups in Paris often operate in English, and English-language CVs are sometimes accepted. In most other industries, including finance, law, retail, healthcare, and government, a working level of French is expected.

Cover letter

The French typically expect a cover letter as well which will also need to be written in French. In any case, it is best to have your documents in your native language as well as in French to be on the safe side. A good tip, especially if you are not a native French speaker, is to ask a native French speaker to look over your CV and cover letter to make sure there are not any errors. A cover letter is expected for most roles. Keep it to 15–20 lines maximum.

Searching for a job in France

If you are wondering how to get a job in France as a foreigner, the internet should be your first place to go. Below are some relevant job search websites to get you started on your search:

Alternatively, many expats abroad take on jobs as au pairs, English teachers, or positions in the tourist industry. The internet indeed is the best way to get a job in France as a foreigner, especially if you have yet to arrive in the country. Here are some relevant job search websites for au pair and English-teaching positions:

Networking in France

Networking is taken seriously in France. LinkedIn is widely used, but in-person connections carry real weight. Attend industry events, expat community meetups (51�ԹϺ�����is a good starting point), and sector-specific conferences. Have a short, confident summary of who you are and what you do ready, the French appreciate directness. Always carry business cards to formal events. Network in person – InterNations hosts various community events where it is possible to meet and chat with other expats offline.

Job opportunities in France for foreigners

France is actively recruiting foreign talent. [Updated in the Official Journal] now covers over 80 roles open to foreign workers through streamlined work permit procedures.

In-demand roles open to foreign workers:

• Civil engineer
• Nurses
• Chefs
• Agricultural employees
• Software developers
• Truck drivers
• Mechanics

Minimum wage

• France's minimum wage is known as the SMIC (Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel de Croissance). The gross monthly SMIC stands at 1,800 EUR (approx. 2,100 USD) with an estimated net monthly figure of approximately 1,450 EUR (approx. 1,700 USD).
• France is among the highest minimum wages in the EU, alongside Luxembourg, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
• The SMIC reviews and adjusts mid-year if inflation rises more than 2%
• You are entitled to the same minimum wage as any French worker, there is no lower rate for foreign employees.

Average salary in France

• The average net monthly salary in the private sector is 2,735 EUR (approx. 3,195 USD) for a full-time role with an annual average of 43,355 EUR (approx. 50,655 USD).

• Paris offers significantly higher pay, an average gross annual salary of around 54,100 EUR (approx. 63,210 USD) in the capital but also comes with one of the highest costs of living in France, particularly for housing, childcare, and transport. Read more on our full guide about Living in France.

• Skilled workers should look into the “Passeport Talent visa” France’s fast-track route for qualified professionals, researchers, and founders. To qualify under the "qualified employee" stream, your gross annual salary must be at least 41,570 EUR (approx. 48,480 USD). It is valid for up to four years and covers your family too. For other visa types, check the official before you apply for jobs.

How salary varies by role level

Executives (Cadres): approx. €4,570 net/month average Intermediate professions: approx. €2,660 net/month average Manual workers (Ouvriers): approx. €2,030 net/month average Office employees (��������Dz�é��): approx. €1,960 net/month average

France has three practical routes into self-employment, each suited to a different situation. For most expats just starting out, the micro-entrepreneur scheme is the simplest and most popular entry point. If you need the security of an employment contract while freelancing, (portage salarial) may be the smarter choice. And if you are scaling a more complex business, a fully incorporated structure (SASU or EURL) is the best.

Check your visa before you register

Not all visas permit self-employment. You cannot register as a freelancer in France if you hold an employee visa (titre de séjour salarié), a temporary work visa, or a student visa. If you want to freelance, you will need to apply for a (carte de séjour entrepreneur) or hold a permit that explicitly allows non-salaried activity.

Also, if your business is one of the , such as veterinarians, hairdressers, accountants, builders, or wine dealers, you will also need to register with the appropriate organization. Be prepared to show all your qualifications, experience, and insurance.

Registering your company

• Register online at the national registration portal
• Create an account on to declare your turnover and pay social contributions
• A unique 9-digit SIREN number is issued as your official business ID
• Open a dedicated business bank account once your annual turnover exceeds 10,000 EUR

Freelance visa

If you want to freelance, you will need to apply for a (carte de séjour entrepreneur) or hold a permit that explicitly allows non-salaried activity. Freelancers can also work through a portage salarial or by joining .

Portage salarial is a uniquely French arrangement that lets you work as a freelancer while being legally employed by a portage company (umbrella company). The umbrella company handles your invoicing, payroll, and social contributions — you focus entirely on finding clients and doing the work. For this, you will pay the company anywhere between 7 to 10% of your monthly invoices.

This system works best for those planning to work as:

• Writers
• Web designers
• Translators
• Telemarketing
• Consulting
• IT
• Remote or home-based work.

Once your turnover consistently exceeds the micro-entrepreneur thresholds 188,700 EUR (for goods/commercial activity) or 77,700 EUR (for services and liberal professions) for two consecutive years, or if your business has significant expenses or employees, you will need to incorporate. The two most common structures for solo entrepreneurs:

• SASU (simplified single-person company): flexible single-person company structure where you are both director and sole shareholder, with no minimum share capital required and the option to pay yourself as an employee with full social security coverage.
• EURL (single-person limited liability company): single-person version of a standard limited liability company, better suited to those who want a simpler, more regulated structure with lower accounting costs than a SASU.

These offer more flexibility in how you pay yourself and handle tax but come with significantly more administrative work and higher accounting costs.

France’s business culture is very professional, and formality is highly regarded. Business is done in a very straight-forward manner with executives focusing on developing long-term relationships with business partners.

French dress code

France’s workplace culture dress code is business formal, meaning that employees are expected to dress and appear elegant and sophisticated. Men are usually in suit and ties, while women are expected to dress in conservative dresses or pantsuits.

The 35-hour working week

France's legal working week is 35 hours, Monday to Friday. Overtime is paid at a premium of 10–25% per hour. Some sectors and executive roles operate on a different schedule via collective agreement. Flexible and hybrid working has become increasingly common, particularly in tech and corporate roles.

Communication style

French business communication is direct, formal, and intellectually engaged. Colleagues may challenge ideas openly in meetings this is not rudeness, it is a sign of engagement and analytical thinking. Expect debate, structured arguments, and constructive criticism as a normal part of working life.

Always use "vous" in professional settings, never "tu" until it is explicitly offered to you. The same applies to written communication: emails should open with "Bonjour Madame / Monsieur " and close with a formal sign-off such as "Cordialement".

Business meetings

Before any meeting, it is crucial you make an appointment. The French do not take too well to unexpected visitors. Do your best to arrive on time, but if you are running five minutes behind, this is usually okay and tolerated in France. Make sure you have relevant and important things to add to the topics of discussion during the meeting.

Work-life balance & personal time

France has strong cultural and legal protections around personal time. The 35-hour week is law, and employees are entitled to a minimum of five weeks of paid holiday per year. The "right to disconnect" law (droit à la déconnexion) means employees have the legal right not to respond to work emails outside of working hours.

The long lunch

One of the most enjoyable aspects of French workplace culture is the lunch break. French lunch breaks typically last one to two hours and often involve a proper sit-down meal with colleagues. In smaller towns and traditional companies, businesses may close entirely at midday. This is relationship-building, and it is genuinely valued.

The French social security number (numéro de sécurité sociale) is your unique identification number within the system. This is essentially ID number and represents your affiliation to the French social security scheme. You will need this number for many administrative procedures while in France.

• Signing an employment contract
• Receiving your pay slip (fiche de paie)
• Registering with France travail
• Enrolling in a company health insurance top-up

Getting a Social Security number

So as long as a foreigner is legally residing in France, with the proper documentation, and has been for more than three months. Social security number can be obtained by either one of two ways: by you or your employer.

• If you are employed in France, it is usually easiest to let your HR department request your France social security number on your behalf. The process may also be speedier this way.
• You can apply by filling out the form (Form S1106) and requesting it to your local Primary Health Insurance Fund (CPAM).

Social security & benefits for self-employed people in France

For self-employed workers, France has a in place. Self-employed workers are covered for health, family allowances, and pensions, but for unemployment or sick pay, self-employed workers will need to take out separate coverage.

Those who are self-employed need to register for social security with the Union de Recouvrement des Cotisations de Sécurité Sociale et d’Allocations Familiales(). They will send you bills for your contributions.

Benefits

Social security benefits in France are among the highest in the EU. They include:

• Unemployment benefits
• Old age pension
• Health and sickness benefits
• Invalidity benefits
• Accidents and occupational disease benefits
• Death benefits
• Maternity and paternity

Documents required to apply for a social security number

• Passport
• VISA or permanent residence card
• Birth certificate (translated into French)
• Proof that you have lived in France for more than three months (phone or water bills, etc.)
• Bank account information
• Signed registration Form S1106

Once you have all your paperwork completed and documents gathered, you can either mail them in or apply in person at your local CPAM office.

You will first receive a temporary number (usually within three weeks), which you can use to get reimbursements. Only later (about 2-6 months) can you expect to receive your permanent social security number. Once you have this, you can then apply for your carte Vitale, which is your physical social security card with your number on it.

Unemployment benefits

If you lose your job in France, you may be entitled to allocation chômage(unemployment benefit), managed by France Travail. To qualify, you must have worked for at least six months in the last 24 months, be actively seeking work, and have lost your job - involuntary resignation does not qualify. Payments typically range between 57–75% of your previous daily salary, paid monthly.

The mobili-pass subsidy

The Mobili-Pass is a relocation assistance scheme in France designed to help employees cover some of the costs associated with moving for work. For professional expats moving to France for work-related purposes, the France government has introduced the mobili-subsidy, a financial subsidy for moving employees to help cover relocation costs.

The grant can range anywhere between 3,000 EUR (3,353 USD) and 3,500 EUR (3,912 USD) maximum. Any employee (whether French or foreign) is eligible for the subsidy if the company:

• Is private and based in France,
• Is not in the farming sector,
• Has 10 or more employees,
• pays the mandatory 1% contribution to the French government.

This subsidy program is not available for seasonal workers, employees who work from home, or interns.

To learn more about the Mobili-Pass grant, .

Taxes in France

France's tax system is comprehensive and applies to anyone living or working in the country. Your tax situation depends on whether you are considered a tax resident which is separate from your visa or residency status. Here is what you need to know before your first pay slip arrives.

Tax resident in France

You are considered a French tax resident if any one of the following applies:

• Your main home (foyer) is in France
• You spend more than 183 days per year in France
• Your main professional activity is carried out in France
• France is the center of your economic interests (investments, main income source)

France has double taxation treaties with over 125 countries, which usually prevents you from being taxed twice on the same income.

France uses a household-based tax system called the quotient familial tax is calculated based on your household income divided by the number of "parts" (1 for a single person, 2 for a couple, more for children). This can significantly reduce your tax bill if you have a family.

Read more in our full guide about Banks & Taxes in France.

France is known for having one of the most supportive family leave systems in Europe. Maternity leave (congé maternité) is a legal right for all employed mothers in France.

• A minimum of eight weeks of maternity leave in France is compulsory and out of which 6 weeks are compulsory after the birth
• Sixteen weeks of congé maternité (maternity leave) are optional, usually six weeks prenatal and ten weeks postnatal
• For a third child, this amount increases to 26 weeks.

Paternity leave

Paternity leave in France is one of the most generous in Europe, giving new fathers 25 days of leave for one child and 32 days for multiple births. The first 4 days are mandatory immediately after birth, while the remaining days can be taken in one or two flexible periods within a set timeframe after the child is born.

Parental leave

Employees who have been with their employer for more than a year are free to take up to three years of parental leave. This is referred to as congé parental d’éducation. After this period, they must be re-employed in the same position or a similar job. Under no circumstances can an employee be fired during their parental leave.

How leaves are paid

Maternity and paternity leave in France are paid through the French Social Security system (CPAM) in the form of daily allowances. These payments are based on your previous salary, but they are subject to a maximum cap at roughly 3,120 EUR (approx. 1,535 USD) per month, meaning higher earners may not receive their full income during leave. Because of this, many residents also rely on supplementary private health insurance (mutuelle) or savings to cover the difference and maintain their usual standard of living during parental leave.

Paternity & maternity leave benefits

Other paternity and maternity benefits in France include:

• Daily allowance equal to the wage they were making over the last three months of the pregnancy if they are on leave.
• Receive benefits in cash for medicine costs are paid in cash if you stop all forms of paid work. If you happen to be unemployed, you can still claim maternity leave but have to stop your unemployment payments first.